Centrifugal pump.



A. R. WlLFLEY.

CENTRIFUGAL PUMP.

APPLICATION FILED JULY], 1916 Patented Aug. 27, 1918.

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CENTRIFUGAL PUMP.

APPLICATION FILED J ULY I, 1916.

Patented Aug. 27, 1918.

1 L m u w w w L. m 2 0/ M m H T x /O\ ra ns snares ra'rnnr eerie ARTHUR'R. WILFLEY, or DENVER, COLORADO.

CENTRIFUGAL PUMP.

Specification of, Letters Patent; Patented Aug. 27, 1918. I

Application filed July 1, 1916. Serial No. 106,994.

' pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,

and to the characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in centrifugal pumps, my object being to overcome a number of the difficulties which have been experienced in the operation of these pumps, as .heretofore constructed. One of these difliculties-consists in the tendency of the shaft upon which the runner is mounted to be cut away or worn to such an extent as to render it useless, within a comparatively short time, by reason of the dirt and sand working into the main bearing. This difiiculty is experienced in a more pronounced degree where these pumps are em ployed in pumping water containing a considerable amount of sand. In other words,

where these pumps are utilized for raising pulp to the necessary height for delivering it to concentrating apparatus, or other mechanism employed in its treatment, the sand works into the ordinary bearings and very soon destroys or cuts out the shaft. Hence one of the novel features of my improvement consists in providing means for supporting the stufiing box, through which the shaft passes, and which is engaged by the hub of the runner, in such amanner as to allow the stufling box to vibrate withthe shaft and runner both transversely and longitudinally;

- that is to say in the direction ofthe axis of the shaft, and also at right angles thereto.

The specific construction disclosed in the drawing for accomplishing this object consists of a flexible or resilient member or diahra m which is mounted on the casin 0 7 b framework of the pump, to which dia phragm is-secured a sort of stufling box. As shown in the drawing, thisstutfing box consists of a sleeve fitted around the shaft of the runner at one end and open at its opposite end to receive the hub of the runment thereof.

ner, the sleeve being provided with a quantity of packing material which the hub of the runner engages in "such a manner that when the pump is in operation, the stuffing box and runner hub maintain their adjustment or proper cooperative relation, since the dlaphragm which carries the stufiing box allows the latter to vibrate with the runner 4 and its shaft whereby there is no transverse movement of the runner hub independently of the stuffing box. The endwise thrust of the runner shaft is resisted by a spring which bears upon a washer mounted on the opposite side of the diaphragm from the stufling box.

Provision is also made for the endwise adjustment of the runner shaft in order to maintain the proper relation between the runner and its casing without disturbing the relation between the runner hub, the shaft and the stufling box. In other words, the

stuffing box moves endwise with the shaft and runner, due to the flexibility of the dia- 'phragm which allows endwise as well as transverse movement of the shaft without disturbing the cooperative relation of the runner hub and the stuffing box after these elements have been properly adjusted. Therefore, it will be understood that this diaphragm permits the stufiing box to vibrate both longitudinally and transversely with the shaft and runner.

Provision is also made for preventing the trapping of air in the pump. This air enters the pump intake due to the failure at intervals of the supply of pulp or liquid in the sump which feeds the pump. This air ,unless removed, seriously interferes with the operation of the pump. In my improved construction I provide an auxiliary air chamber in the rear of and in communication with therunner chamber, and also in communication with the intake of the pump. Connected with this air chamber is an outlet equipped with a check valve, which is normally closed, but opens in response to air pressure in the chamber under the circumstances heretofore outlined.

Having briefly explained my improved construction, together with. some I of the functions it is intended to subserve, I will proceed to describe the same in detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawing, in which is illustrated an embodi- 1 spring are In this drawing, Figure 1 is a vertical, longitudinal section of a centrifugal pump, equlpped with my improvements.

Fig. 2 is a'top plan view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a detail view of a spring employed. The parts which support the shown in sectiontaken on the line 33, Fig. 2, looking toward the left, the parts, however, being shown on a larger scale. I

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail cutting the diaphragm, the sleeve of the stuffing box and the washer which engages the diaphragm on the opposite side from the stuffing box. The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the views.

Let the numeral 5 designate a suitable-Sta tionary framework, including two bearings 6 and 7, in which the shaft 8 of the pump is journaled. The casing 9 of the pump is supported between a member 10' of the easing and a removable disk 12 which engages the casing in front, and is provided with a hub 13, which is engagedby a set screw 14 threaded into a part 15 of the casing. This disk 12 is equipped with one or more set screws 16, which are threaded into openings formed in the disk and engage a plate 17, which forms a closure for the forward end of the runner casing 9; as shown in the drawing, packing rings 18 are arranged between the casing and the two members 10 and 12, between whiclrthe casing is clamped, as heretofore explained. Upon the forward extremity of the shaft 8 is mounted the runner 19. The hub 20 of the runner is open to receive the forward extremity of the shaft 8, the runner being fastened on the shaft by means of a nut 51. In the rear of the body of the casing, and formed in the member 10 which the casing engages, is an air chamber 21 which is in communication with the runner chamber, as shown at 22, and also with the intake of the pump, as shown at 23. In communication with the upper extremity of the air chamber 21 is an outlet pipe 23*, equipped with a check valve 24 which prevents the entrance of air to the pump, but allows the air to escape from the chamber 21, in the event that air is drawn into the pump due to the fact that there is a failure of supply in the sump which feeds the pump, as heretofore explained.

Surrounding the shaft 8 immediately in the rear of the air chamber 21 is an opening 25 which is closed by a diaphragm 26, preferably' composed of rubber, or some other suitable flexible and resilient material. This diaphragm is secured to the member 10 around the opening 25 by means of bolts 27 which are passed through registering openings formed in the adjacent portion of the member 10, in the outer portion of the diaphragm, and on a ring 28 which engages the diaphragm in opposing relation to the member 10. This diaphragmis centrally perforated, as shown at 29, to receive the shaft 8. Secured to the diaphragm is a sleeve 30, I

tremity of the hub 20 of the runner enters the forward extremity of the sleeve 30 and engages this packing material when the parts of the pump are assembled in cooperative relation. The washer 52 is pro vided with a pair of projections 37 arranged on opposite sides of the shaft, and which form a bearing for the central part of an elongated spring 38, which is perforated, as shown at 39, to receive the shaft. The opposite ends of this spring are provided with open ngs 40, through which the forward extremities of rods 31 pass, the spring being connected with the rods by means of nuts 32 threaded on the rods; by virtueof the fact that the central portion of the spring engages the pro ection 37, the spring will always act upon the washer to properly resist the rearward pressure of the shaft, even though the extremities of the spring do not lie 1n a plane, cutting the axis of the shaft at right angles.

The rods 31 pass through perforated ears 41 formed on the bearings 6 and 7, through which the shaft passes. These rods also pass through cars 42 formed on bearing meme bers 43, through which the shaft passes,-

these members being arranged on opposite sides of a hub 44, secured to the shaft by a bolt 45, hearing balls 46 being arranged between the hub 44 and the end bearings 43. By virtue of this construction, the shaft may be adjusted endwise or longitudinally, in

order to compensate for wear between the runner and the casing, and this adjustment may be effected without disturbing the relation between the runner hub, the stufling box and the shaft, since all of these members move together during such adjustment, this movement being permitted by the flexible diaphragm 26.

From the foregoing description the use and operation of my improved centrifugal pump will be readily understood. As shown.

in the drawing (see Fig. 2), the material as pulp enters the pump through a feed pipe 47, whose extremity remote from the pump is connected with a sump, or other su table source of supply. (not shown). TlllS material enters the pump in response to the partition, upon which the stuffing box or suction produced by the rotation of the runner, which movement may be imparted in any suitable manner, as by connecting the shaft 8 with a motor of any suitable character. In pumps of this classthere is always considerable vibration of the runner and its shaft, and under ordinary circumstances, this vibration soon results 1n wearing the parts to such an extent that sand will work into the shaft and cut out the latter in a comparatively short time, as heretofore outlined. .My improvement, whereby the stuffing box, the shaft and the runner hub, move together duringsuch vibration, overcomes this difliculty, as will be readily understood.

Attention is called to""the fact that instead of a rigid or metal closure for the suction chamber in the rear of the pump, I employ a resilient wall, diaphragm or packing member is mounted, thus permitting this member to vibrate or move both laterally and longitudinally with the shaft. The distinction between my improved construction and the ordinary "construction, whereby a rigid wall is employed, andto which the stufling box is secured against movement or vibration with the shaft, will,

\ ner, its shaft, packing material applied to the shaft, and means for supporting said packlng material to cause it to vibrate with the shaft both transversely and longitudinally.

' 4. A centrifugal pump, including a runner, its shaft, and flexible diaphragm carrying a stufling box t rough which the shaft passes.

5. A centrifugal pump,including a frame work and runner, a shaft on which the runner is mounted, a flexible member mounted on the framework, and a stufling box mounted, on the flexible member through which the shaft passes.

6. A centrifugal pump, includinga frame work, a. runner, a shaft. on which the run ner is mounted, a stuffing box through which the shaft passes, and means for supporting the stuffing box to cause the latter to vibrate with the shaft and runner. i

7 In a centrifugal pump the combination of a runner, the shaft on which the runner is mounted, a sleeve surrounding the shaft and containing -a quantity of packing material, and means for supporting the sleeve and packing material to cause them to vibrate with the shaft. c

8. A centrifugal pump, including a runner, its shaft, packing material applied to the shaft and forming a tight joint, an abutment mounted on the shaft and engaging said packing material, and means forsupporting the packing material to cause it to vibrate with the shaft and abutment.

9. A centrifugal pump, including a runner, its shaft and a flexible diaphragm carrying-a stufling box through which the shaft passes.

10. A centrifugal pump, including a framework, a runner, a shaft on which the runner is mounted, a flexible member mounted on the framework, and, a stuffing box mounted on the flexible member, and through which the shaft passes.

11. A centrifugal pump including a framework, a. runner,'a shaft on which the runner is mounted, a stuffing box through ewhich the shaft passes, and means for supporting the stuffing box to permit the latter .to vibrate with theshaft and runner.

12. In a centrifugal pump. the combina tion with the runner and shaft, of a stufling box through which the shaft passes, and.-

means for supporting the stufiing box to cause t to vibrate with the shaft and runner.

13. In a centrifugal pump, the combina- I tion of a runner. a shaft on which the runner is mounted. a' sleeve surrounding the shaft and containing a quantity of packing material, the. hub of the runner entering the sleeveand engaging said packing material i -to cause them to vibrate transversely with the shaft and runner.

1-1. In a centrifugal pump, the combina tion of a rmmer, a shaft on which the runner is mounted, a sleeve surrounding the shaft and carrying a quantity of packing,

material, the hub of the runner entering the sleeve and engaging said packlng material, and means for supporting the sleeve and packing material to cause'them to vibrate with the shaft and runner.

15. In a centrifugal pump, the combination of a runner, a shaft on which the runner is mounted, a sleeve surrounding the shaft and carrying. a quantity of-packing material, the hub of the runner entering the sleeve and engaging said packing material, and means for supportrng the sleeve and packing materlal to cause them to vibrate with the shaft and runner in the direction of the axis of the shaft, and also at right angles thereto.

k 16. A centrifugal pump, including a runner and shaft -on. which the runner is mounted, ,a stu'fiingbox through which the I shaft passes, and means for supporting the stuffing box in cooperative relation with the shaft to cause the stufling box to vibrate with the runner and hub both transversely and longitudinally.

17. The combination of a casing, a run ner, a shaft on which the runner is mounted, a resilient diaphragm through which the shaft passes, a stufling box mounted on said diaphragm and arranged on the runner side thereof, and a spring acting on the opposite side of the diaphragm to give the necessary resistance.

18. A centrifugal pump, including a casing, a runner, a shaft on which the runner is mounted, a stufiing box through which the shaft passes,'and means for adjusting the shaft longitudinally to compensate for wear between the runner and its casing without disturbing the relation of the runner, the stuflin box and the shaft.

, 19. The combination of a casing, a runner, a shaft on which the runner is mounted, a stufling box through which the shaft passes, a resilient diaphragm through which the shaft passes and on which the stufling box is mounted, and means yieldingly engaging the diaphragm on the opposite side from the stufiing box.

20. The combmation of a casing, a runner therein, a shaft on which the runner is mounted, a stufiing box through which the shaft passes, a resilient diaphragm through which the shaft passes and on which the stufling box is mounted, and a spring acting on the diaphragm on the opposite side from the stufling box, and means for supporting said spring and regulating its tension.

21. The combination of a casing, a runner, a shaft on which the runner'is mounted, a stuffing box, a resilient diaphragm through .which the shaft passes and on which the stufling box is mounted, a leaf spring arranged on the opposite side of the diaphragm from the stufling box and through which the shaft passes, the diaphragm being equipped to engage the central portion of the spring, and rods adjustably connected with the extremities of the spring on opposite sides of the shaft.

22. The combination of a casing, a runner, a shaft on which the runner is mounted, a stufiing box through which "the shaft passes, a resilient diaphragm on which the stuffing box is mounted, a spring cooperating with the diaphragm, a rod with which the spring is adjustably connected, and a thrust bearincr for the shaft, said bearing being adjustabl y mounted on the rod.

23. A centrifugal pump, including a casing, a runner therein, a shaft on which the runner is mounted, a resilient partition closing the suction chamber on one side and a through which the shaft passes, and a stuffing box or packing member mounted on the said partition, and forming a tight joint around theshaft, whereby the stufling box or packing member is allowed to vibrate with the shaft when the pump is in operation.

In testimon whereof I afiix my signature in presence 0 two witnesses.

ARTHUR R. WILFLEY. Witnesses E. M. DOUGLAS, ALBERT OB IEN; 

